adminJOSHUA ZINZOMBE (27), a young, creative art and design graduate from Chinhoyi University, is holding his Graduation Exhibition at Mabelreign Girls High. Zinzombe is not an ordinary artist. He is eclectic, versatile, highly motivated and adventurous; qualities which separate him from many other young artists of today.
A highly organised individual, Zinzombe attempts to show through his art works how modern society affects our culture. His work speaks volumes concerning the dilemmas Zimbabwean society faces daily — such as electricity cuts, the shortage of drinking water, the increase of water-borne diseases and the lack of primary health care which have all escalated over the last decade and could have been prevented if civic authorities and society had taken heed sooner.
With the camera he follows his subjects who are mainly children he photographs in everyday situations. These are enigmatic but richly poetic new forms of photo documentary, permeated with a harmonising balance of figures and the landscape of Shamva. He combines exceptional pictorial eloquence with a poet’s depth of feeling especially in his social documentary photography which touches on pertinent human rights issue such as the right to water.
It takes a sensible and sensitive artist to bring this to our attention. He approaches photography as a universal medium with the utopian potential to effect social change. Through his work he denounces a world in which human life is threatened by water shortages, and water-borne diseases. As an artist of beguiling singularity and a deeply felt emotional range, Zinzombe at times achieves flashes of greatness.
The visual effects of his photography heightens just how well Zinzombe takes pictures of his concepts and subjects when he finds the right combination of theme, style and mood — as evidenced by his water shortage series of photography.
His works of art convey a controlled spontaneity, intricately ordered composition and heart-felt sensitivity, says Zinzombe:
“I approach art and design knowing that constant innovation and renewal is a crucial part of creativity. I am most inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso and African architecture and the way it interacts with everyday life.”
These characteristics, one sees on Zinzombe’s batiks which in some way resemble the symbolism and patterning of oriental carpets and textiles whilst retaining their Zimbabwean symbolism. Their presentation together builds a complex pictorial backdrop.
His graphic designs are physically altered after printing to create a surface that blurs between two and three dimensions. He economically creates the impression of deep recesses with sparing collage elements on his graphic work.
Joshua Zinzombe was born on June 10, 1986, in Harare. He completed his Diploma in Art Education in 2008, at the University of Zimbabwe.
Following a stint as a freelance graphic designer in Cape Town, South Africa, he returned home in 2009 and enrolled at Chinhoyi University where he excelled in illustration and printmaking.
An industrial attachment at CM & A Advertising and Marketing Company inspired him to further his portfolio into visual and film advertising. Joshua has ambitions to pursue a master’s programme in art and design and to run his own 3D magazine.
Utterly assured and remarkably professional the exhibition at Mabelreign Girls High shows Zinzombe discovering his brilliance and originality as a graphic designer, a draughtsman and creative photographer.
- Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, musician, art critic, practising artist and corporate image consultant.
Online Reporter